Papua law effective in 2002

JAKARTA: The newly passed Papua Special Autonomy law will come into full force in January 2002, Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno said on Thursday.

The government is currently racing against time preparing the accompanying regulations needed for its implementation, he said.

The government is formulating nine government regulations and two presidential decrees, he said, adding that the government also has to set up agencies to support enforcement of the law.

The two presidential decrees relate to the establishment of the Papuan People's Board and the provincial governor's accountability to the central government.

Regarding the official name of the province, Hari said the government would acknowledge "Papua" and "Irian Jaya". --JP